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I think back then, I had never driven a car that was THAT smooth, or THAT refined, or THAT quiet. Anything else you would go drive, just didn't compare. S Class, 7 Series, Lincolns, Cadillacs, just didn't compare...
It's not that the LS460 isn't as smooth and quiet, it is, it's that other cars are too now. It's not as extraordinary as it was then...for instance people would get in the LS400 and would just be astonished by how smooth and quiet it was, they would be like "my god this car is quiet", the 460 they comment on what a nice car it is but not specifically those attributes because they don't stand out as much.
I dunno, theres something about the 98-00 LS400. I don't know if it was because I had no experience with Lexus, or if the car was just worlds better than cars we had previously, or if it was because it was my dad's and was that teenage car you drove and washed and waxed and wanted...yet was never yours...but there was something intangible about that car that even my LS460 which I love doesn't have, neither did the LS430. Something about how simple it was, and how it lacked features that many other cars have but that didn't matter because it was just such an incredibly well made car. Not one questionable material inside, perfect paint and trim, incredible supple ride that was unlike anything that you could get back then. New tech like HID headlights that were really different and special. The LS430 was great, as was the LS460...but neither is as "special" as that first LS400.
If an opportunity to buy a really well preserved 98-00 LS fell into my lap one day, I would buy it. I'd probably even spend 5 figures for a really really nice one. Don't know what I would do with it...but I would buy it...
It depends on which leather you have. The basic leather was definitely better in the LS430 and LS400, but if you have an LS460 with the semi-aniline leather then its as good as any thats been offered in the LS. The LS400 having only one leather option was very similar in quality to the semi-aniline leather you had in the LS430 and LS460.
Thats the one option I wish my LS460 had. Having had the semi-aniline leather in my GS, as well as the LS430, the basic leather in the LS460 isn't what you would expect to have in an $80,000 car I agree.
That said, well cared for the basic leather will age just fine, but if you let it go it will feel like hell quickly. My 2010 ES also did not have the semi-aniline leather, and the leather in my LS460 is exactly the same, which isn't right IMHO. The napa leather in my Kia minivan is also considerably better.
On the LS, the semi-aniline should be the basic leather, and then have an even better option.
This was an absolute lesson for me, as I thought I was familiar with and had seen both a 400 and 430 on the road. But after seeing this photo, I dont think I have..
Perhaps this is an exquisite example of a 400, but THAT car in the photo is gorgeous.
I literally marveled for a few moments...
Though I've never had such an experience with a car in that fashion as a young man, I can still relate to what you're saying, as there isn't much if anything that can replace something of very fine quality in conjunction with nostalgia. I'd say that equates to something being categorized as classic.
This was an absolute lesson for me, as I thought I was familiar with and had seen both a 400 and 430 on the road. But after seeing this photo, I dont think I have..
Perhaps this is an exquisite example of a 400, but THAT car in the photo is gorgeous.
I literally marveled for a few moments...
Though I've never had such an experience with a car in that fashion as a young man, I can still relate to what you're saying, as there isn't much if anything that can replace something of very fine quality in conjunction with nostalgia. I'd say that equates to something being categorized as classic.
Thats a 98-00 model, gen "2.5". That car has the LS430 18" wheels in chrome, which look GREAT on that car.
Here's an example of a car that is totally stock:
This is a 2000 Platinum edition. My dad's was silver:
Thats a 98-00 model, gen "2.5". That car has the LS430 18" wheels in chrome, which look GREAT on that car.
Here's an example of a car that is totally stock:
This is a 2000 Platinum edition. My dad's was silver:
Interior:
This thing just looks massive and the interior look incredibly plush, comfortable, simple and not too dated.
I could easily see someone purchasing one and keeping it as either a collector or for sentimental value.
Its a well statured and stated vehicle.
